Buonaparte had great difficulty in subduing the revolts at Cairo, and
his work was only effected by an immense sacrifice of human life. He
succeeded in forcing the rebels to take refuge in the mosque of Eleazar
in the Isle of Ronda, whose approaches they secured with strong
barricades. Here Napoleon summoned them to surrender; and by his order
the divan, the principal sheiks and doctors of the law presented
themselves at the barricades, to induce them if possible to comply with
his summons. They were received by a fusilade, when, at a given signal,
General Dommartin opened a battery upon the mosque. This battery was
kept in constant and fearful play, and produced such consternation and
terror among the rebels, that they cried loudly for permission to
capitulate: “You refused mercy when I offered it,” replied the General,
“the hour of vengeance has arrived; you commenced this tumult, it is for
me to finish it.”
Reduced to despair, they attempted a sortie, but were met by the French
grenadiers. At length they threw down their arms and surrendered at
discretion; imploring mercy, and uttering their cry of distress,
_Amman!_
[Illustration: BUONAPARTE PARDONING THE REBELS AT CAIRO.]